November 06, 2013

Survey: The Things They Bought

Brazil may be one of the world's largest economies with a growing middle class and reduced inequality, but consumer goods still tend to be very expensive there. As a result, Brazilians traveling abroad tend to buy all sorts of interesting things that are cheaper in other countries, from iPads to pacifiers.

I'm conducting a survey to find out the strangest things Brazilians buy in the United States, as well as surprising shopping requests by Brazilians for family members or friends traveling to the U.S.

Here are some real examples from friends:

a boat anchor [request, not granted]

a bicycle [request, granted]

a Persian rug [request, not granted]

baby clothes, bought before getting pregnant or having children [purchase]

I always come back to Brazil completely loaded with stuff. The secret is to tell people they have to order it online and have it shipped to wherever you're staying - no hassle, no exchange rate, no IOF, no running around hunting down whatever they have asked you to bring back. I've brought back all the usual stuff, Apple products, watches, video games, makeup... but I've had a few weird deliveries show up too, including 2 two-foot tall dolls, baby clothes galore, materials to make jewelry, fancy photography equipment (twice), a hands-free breast pump (the box was hillarious!), post-partum hip reduction belt, and the funniest of all - a vibrator!